Five facing criminal charges for 'cooking' methamphetamine in Austin's Spicertown area

Written by Marty Randall

Wednesday, 05 August 2009 00:00

Five people were taken into custody by local officers on Saturday, July 25, for manufacturing the illegal substance methamphetamine in Austin's Spicertown neighborhood.
Held at the Scott County Security Center are: Tony Combs, 45, South Dowling Drive; Jerry DeHart, 59, Seymour; Barbara McIntosh, 33, North Fourth Street, Austin; Georgenia Morris, 36, West York Road, Austin; and Mystin Williams, 27, North Fourth St., Austin.
All of the suspects were purportedly discovered at Combs' listed residence at 206 South Dowling Street when officers served a search warrant. The warrant was issued on the basis of possible criminal activity at the address. The building was one of several located at that address, all of which are reported to be owned by Astor Combs of Austin.
Scottsburg Patrolman Troy Ford prepared the probable cause affidavit. He noted that he and Austin Patrolman Robert Gudgel, county deputies Don Campbell and Joe Johnson and reserve deputies Mike Tscheulin, Brandon Watson, Mike Watson and Jack Sanders went to the building at 1:20 a.m. on July 25, discovering the group of suspects.
In an east bedroom of the residence, Ptl. Ford said officers detected a strong chemical odor emanating from containers behind a bed in which meth was “cooking.” Also located was a loaded handgun.
The Indiana State Police clandestine lab team was contacted to dismantle and secure the illegal “lab.” Trooper Marty Mead confirmed to officers that items found were working components of a meth lab, the probable cause stated.
A purse found in the building contained identification belonging to Mystin Williams. It also reportedly held drug paraphernalia and nearly 150 tablets identified as pseudoephedrine, one of the main ingredients of meth. The court document also stated that Jerry DeHart had on his person two pills, Alprazolam and Clonazepam, each of which is a controlled substance.
Each of the suspects was charged with a Class B felony of dealing in meth and possession of meth and maintaining a common nuisance, both Class D felonies. DeHart was also charged with two counts of possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance. Williams faces a Class D felony charge of possession of precursors.
All of the defendants except Combs appeared for initial court hearings before Scott Circuit Court Judge Roger Duvall on Monday, July 27. All bails were fixed at $75,000 corporate surety or full cash, and those defendants were assigned a jury trial date of December 7.
Each will be represented by a public defender.
Combs suffered an unidentified ailment and was transported to Scott Memorial Hospital for treatment. His initial hearing in court was scheduled for Thursday morning, July 30.